Led by setter Barthelemy Chinenyeze, the match MVP, Cucine Lube Civitanova won the regional derby of the last round of the regular season with a maximum score. A night of great volleyball and passion ignited the Eurosuole Forum, packed with 3,500 spectators, during the first home clash in SuperLega Credem Banca against Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina.In the match, two Bulgarian national players competed on both sides of the net - Alex Nikolov and Georgi Tatarov.
Nikolov finished the match with 8 points (2 blocks, 1 ace), while Tatarov added 7 points.
For the winners, the most prolific scorer was Adis Lagumdzija, who achieved 13 points (3 blocks), while for the "Batteries," Canadian international Danny Demyanenko finished with 12 points (6 blocks, 1 ace).The third Bulgarian in the match, Denis Bardarov, did not play.
An event that offered a spectacle both on and off the court, with both teams having already achieved their first-phase goals, but entering an intense and emotion-filled challenge.
On one side, the hosts, third in the standings, which pits them against Matey Kaziyski's Milan in the Scudetto playoffs, set to begin next weekend (Match 1 on Sunday in Civitanova Marche). On the other side, Grottazzolina, a protagonist of a season to be remembered, finished with salvation and a historic tenth place with a miss for the 5th place playoffs, which is a qualification for the next edition of the CEV Challenge Cup. The trophy for which Giampaolo Medei's team will compete with the Poles from Lublin, with Alex Grozdanov in their ranks, in the double final in March.
An anticipated derby, experienced with great participation from fans of both teams. Exciting scenography and sound in the stands. The magic was on the court, with high-level volleyball on a night that will remain etched in the history of Marche volleyball.
Especially for Cucine Lube Civitanova, who made no concessions and won the match with a decisive 3:0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-19). A beautiful finish, sealing an incredible home performance: at the Eurosuole Forum11 wins from 11 matches, all with 3 points - something that has never happened for the white and reds.
Cucine Lube Civitanova - Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-19)
Cucine Lube Civitanova: Botolo 2, Chinenyeze 6, Lagumdzija 13, Leoppky 5, Tenorio 3, Bonifante 2, Bissotto (L), Orduna 0, Balaso (L), Hossein Hanzade 6, Nikolov 8, D'irlic 1, Podrascanin 3. N.I. Coach: Medei.
Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina: Tatarov 7, Comparoni 7, Petkovic 10, Antonov 6, Demyanenko 12, Zhukouski 0, Vecchi (L), Fedrizzi 0, Zwaneziger 0, Marchisio (L). N.I. Cubito, Bardarov, Matei, Marchiani. Coach: Ortenzi.
NOTE - game durations: 24', 29', 24'; total: 77'. Spectators 3,425.
Civitanova: service errors 12, aces 6, blocks 10, attack efficiency 49%, reception 41% (27%).
Grottazzolina: service errors 19, aces 3, blocks 8, attack efficiency 42%, reception 41% (18%).
MVP: Barthelemy Chinenyeze.
The playoff pairings have also become clear
QUARTERFINALS:
1st Itas Trentino - 8th Cisterna Volley
2nd Sir Susa Vim Perugia - 7th Valsa Group Modena
3rd Cucine Lube Civitanova - 6th Allianz Milano
4th Rana Verona - 5th Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza
PLAYOFF DATES:
Quarterfinals (March 9, 16, 23, possibly 26, 30) Semifinals (April 6, 13, 16, possibly 20, 24) Finals (April 27, 30; May 4, possibly 7, 11)
Taranto's team was relegated from the elite, while Champions League quarter-finalist Monza saved themselves after defeating Cisterna 3:2, and Taranto lost to Modena 2:3.
photos: legavolley.it and volleyball.it
